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Anvil

anvil.works

From $12/mo Free plan Open source WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
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Spec score 9.5 #1 of 56 in Low-Code Development Platforms

What it is

Anvil is an online IDE for building and deploying full-stack web apps with Python. It pairs a drag-and-drop interface designer with client-side and server-side Python, and includes Data Tables, a built-in database backed by Postgres. Apps can be published to Anvil hosting or exported to run on the open-source Anvil App Server. Developers can create HTTP APIs and connect external Python code through Uplink. Built-in user authentication and app email support cover sending and receiving messages. Anvil documentation lists integrations for Google, Microsoft Entra ID, Facebook, Stripe and Tableau, and says Python SDKs can connect other services. Apps adapt to phones and tablets; the FAQ describes them as installable Progressive Web Apps for Android, iPhone and Chromebook, with offline operation. The Free plan includes unlimited apps and cloud hosting, but provides 50,000 Data Table rows and 100 MB of Data Table storage. Anvil says its hosted infrastructure is in London on AWS eu-west-2. It also says its API removes common flaws such as injection, XSS and CSRF.

Spec sheet

What it does
Anvil is an online IDE and deployment platform for building complete web applications with Python on the front end, back end and database.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Product
Anvil is an online IDE for building and deploying full-stack web apps using Python.Read 30 Sep 2026 · anvil.works
Integrations
Built-in integrations include Google services, Microsoft Entra ID and Azure APIs, Facebook login, Stripe payments and Tableau extensions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · viper.anvil.works
Security
Anvil says its API removes common security flaws including injection, XSS and CSRF, and that its AI agents run in isolated sandboxes without access to the user's infrastructure or local machine.Read 30 Sep 2026 · anvil.works
Support
The Production plan includes private support, and the FAQ says Production support responds to development questions within 24 working hours.Read 30 Sep 2026 · anvil.works
Headquarters
Cambridge, United KingdomRead 28 Sep 2026 · anvil.works
Company
Anvil identifies The Tuesday Project Ltd. as the company behind its Anvil trademarks.Read 30 Sep 2026 · anvil.works
API documentation
The API reference documents Anvil modules, classes, functions, methods and properties.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
APIs and code connections
Anvil supports building HTTP APIs and connecting external Python code through Uplink.Read 30 Sep 2026 · anvil.works
App Server licence
The App Server uses an AGPL-based licence with a carve-out allowing closed-source applications; commercial non-AGPL licences are available from Anvil.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Authentication and email
Built-in services cover user authentication, API construction, and sending and receiving email.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Cloud deployment
Apps can be published to Anvil hosting in two clicks with public URLs, private links, custom domains and multiple environments.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Community limitation
An independent Anvil best-practices guide says separating development, testing and production is more limited on lower plans and staging environments reduce that friction on higher plans.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Company founding and headquarters
An independent company profile lists Anvil as founded in 2015, headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and founded by Meredydd Luff and Ian Davies.Read 15 Oct 2026 · thecompanycheck.com
Company legal name
Anvil is operated by The Tuesday Project Ltd.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Company operating model
The Company Check classifies Anvil as both SaaS and freemium and lists Anvil Platform and Anvil X as its products.Read 15 Oct 2026 · thecompanycheck.com
Cross-site request protection
External HTTP endpoints use a separate session by default so cross-site requests do not receive the browser’s logged-in cookies.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Data Tables
The built-in Data Tables database has a Python API for retrieving, updating and deleting records, while external databases can also be used from server code.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Database
Anvil includes Data Tables, a built-in database backed by Postgres.Read 30 Sep 2026 · anvil.works
Documentation and support
Anvil provides API reference material, tutorials, how-to guides and a community forum, with private support included in Production plans.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Enterprise deployment
Enterprise installations run as three Docker containers and can operate on private networks or fully air-gapped environments.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
GitHub integration
Anvil can synchronize app code with GitHub and other Git remotes; private repositories require Business or higher, while public open-source repositories are available to all accounts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Hosting
Anvil apps can be published to Anvil hosting or exported to run on the open-source Anvil App Server.Read 30 Sep 2026 · anvil.works
Hosting region
Anvil states its hosted infrastructure is in London on AWS eu-west-2.Read 30 Sep 2026 · anvil.works
Independent developer view
Empiria reports that Anvil provides escape hatches to JavaScript, HTML, CSS and SQL when its Python abstractions are insufficient.Read 15 Oct 2026 · empiria.co.uk
Independent technical assessment
InfoWorld describes Anvil as combining drag-and-drop tools with Python client and server code, while noting that its generated stack includes older dependencies such as Bootstrap 3.Read 15 Oct 2026 · infoworld.com
Infrastructure location
Anvil says its standard infrastructure is hosted in London on AWS eu-west-2.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Interface
Anvil provides a drag-and-drop UI designer and lets developers write client-side and server-side Python.Read 30 Sep 2026 · anvil.works
JavaScript extensibility
Anvil permits importing JavaScript libraries and accessing low-level browser APIs when Python abstractions are insufficient.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
June 2026 release
Anvil launched AI agents in the Editor in June 2026, supporting Claude, ChatGPT and custom model providers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Limit: custom theming
InfoWorld says working around Anvil’s older Bootstrap dependency through a custom theme is possible but not trivial.Read 15 Oct 2026 · infoworld.com
Limit: database performance
A G2 reviewer says Anvil’s built-in database is slower than a separately managed database server.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: self-hosted footprint
A G2 reviewer reports that the open-source server installation is larger than 300 MB, making it less suitable for very small scripts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Microsoft integration limit
The Microsoft API Service is available only on Business plans and above.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Mobile access
Anvil apps are responsive and work on phones and tablets; the FAQ says they are Progressive Web Apps installable on Android, iPhone and Chromebook, with offline operation.Read 30 Sep 2026 · anvil.works
Notable limits
The Free plan includes 50,000 Data Table rows, 100 MB of Data Table storage and a 30-second background task timeout.Read 30 Sep 2026 · anvil.works
Open-source scope
The Anvil runtime and App Server are open source, while the hosted Anvil service and Enterprise control plane are not.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Ownership
The Company Check reports that Anvil was acquired by Tractor Zoom in December 2023.Read 15 Oct 2026 · thecompanycheck.com
Praise: productivity
G2 reviewers repeatedly praise the visual designer, database builder, Python workflow, rapid deployment and ease of building complex applications.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on G2
4.8 out of 5 from 11 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Security model
Anvil apps use HTTPS and a capability-style security model in which access is granted through secret share URLs and returned objects.Read 15 Oct 2026 · viper.anvil.works
Self-hosting
Apps can be exported and run with the open-source Anvil App Server, which bundles PostgreSQL and Traefik and can obtain Let’s Encrypt certificates.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
September 2026 release
The September 2026 changelog added subscription AI credits, agent change summaries, GPT-6 support and environment-specific secrets and encryption-key overrides.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Server code
Server Modules expose trusted Python functions that client code calls through anvil.server.call().Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Uplink
The Uplink library connects local Python scripts, Jupyter notebooks or other Python interpreters to an Anvil app.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Visual designer
Its UI is created by dragging components onto Forms, with components represented as Python classes and event handlers written in Python.Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works

Plans and prices

Free Free free forever unlimited apps · cloud hosting · install any library · 50,000 Data Table rows · 100 MB storage · 30-second background-task timeout Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Hobby $12 a month monthly; $10/month when billed annually one developer · scheduled tasks · one custom domain · no Anvil banner · 150,000 Data Table rows · 10 GB storage Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Business $89 a month monthly; $79/month when billed annually, excluding VAT collaboration · SSO · staging environments · 1+ developers · 1,000,000 Data Table rows · 100 GB storage Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Enterprise Priced on request contact sales private deployment · on-premises or cloud · corporate authentication · fully isolated instance Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works
Production Price not published monthly; $900+190/month when billed annually, excluding VAT private support · reserved resources · unlimited extra compute · SQL access to Data Tables · isolated database Read 15 Oct 2026 · anvil.works

Every Anvil plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Combines drag-and-drop design with client- and server-side Python.
  • Includes a Postgres-backed built-in database.
  • Apps can use Anvil hosting or the open-source App Server.
  • Built-in authentication and email support.

Limits

  • Free Data Tables are limited to 50,000 rows.
  • Free Data Table storage is limited to 100 MB.
  • Free background tasks have a 30-second timeout.

Who it suits

Anvil suits developers who want to build Python web apps using a visual UI designer, with options for hosted or self-hosted deployment. Its free plan includes unlimited apps and cloud hosting, subject to Data Table limits.

Anvil in depth

Read the full write-up

Anvil is a Python development environment for building and deploying web apps, with a visual interface designer, database and hosting options. It is best suited to Python developers who want app-building and deployment in one place. Its free plan makes it practical to start, but database caps and a short background-task timeout can constrain growing apps.

Overview

Anvil combines client-side and server-side Python with a drag-and-drop interface designer, built-in authentication and email. Data Tables provide a Postgres-backed database, while apps can run on Anvil hosting or be exported to the open-source Anvil App Server. HTTP APIs and Uplink extend apps to external Python code.

The documented integrations include Google, Microsoft Entra ID, Facebook, Stripe and Tableau; Python SDKs can connect other services. Anvil says its hosted infrastructure runs in London on AWS eu-west-2, a relevant consideration for teams weighing hosting location.

Key features

Build and connect apps

The visual designer and Python on both sides of an app make Anvil a focused route from interface to working web application. Built-in authentication and email cover common app requirements, and HTTP APIs and Uplink provide ways to connect other systems. This breadth is useful for small teams avoiding separate tools, though it also ties the app’s development workflow to Anvil’s environment.

Data, deployment and mobile access

Data Tables are convenient for apps that benefit from an integrated database, but the Free plan’s 50,000-row and 100 MB limits make capacity a decision to revisit as data grows. Hosting on Anvil reduces deployment overhead; exporting to the open-source App Server offers another route for operators who want to run it themselves.

Apps are responsive on phones and tablets and are Progressive Web Apps installable on Android, iPhone and Chromebook, with offline operation. That is useful for mobile access without changing the product’s web-app focus.

Development and security

Anvil includes an integrated debugger, profiler and Python environment tools, with AI-assisted code intelligence. Anvil says its API removes common flaws such as injection, XSS and CSRF, and that its AI agents run in isolated sandboxes without access to a user’s infrastructure or local machine. These are relevant safeguards, but they do not replace an application’s own security review.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing, billed Free forever. It includes unlimited apps, cloud hosting, library installation and one developer, alongside the 50,000-row and 100 MB Data Table caps. The 30-second background-task timeout is a further constraint for work that runs beyond a brief operation. This is a useful starting plan for prototypes and modest apps, but not a substitute for checking workload and data needs.

Hobby is aimed at personal projects and one developer only. It adds no Anvil banner, Scheduled Tasks, one custom domain, 150,000 Data Table rows and 10 GB of storage. Its price is custom pricing; the pricing display shows annual and monthly figures across USD, GBP and EUR, but does not resolve a single price here.

Business is for professional use and supports one or more developers, app collaboration, SSO in apps and staging environments, with community support and 1,000,000 Data Table rows. It is custom pricing, with displayed annual and monthly figures across USD, GBP and EUR; VAT is excluded. Teams needing collaboration and staging have a clearer fit here than on the single-developer plans.

Production is custom pricing and adds private support, reserved resources, unlimited extra compute and SQL access to Data Tables. The displayed annual and monthly figures span USD, GBP and EUR, and VAT is excluded. Private support responds to development questions within 24 working hours, making this the relevant tier for production workloads that need reserved capacity and support.

Enterprise uses custom pricing and offers private deployment on-premises or in the cloud, corporate authentication and full isolation. It is the choice for organizations requiring those deployment and isolation arrangements rather than standard hosted use.

Platforms

Anvil is associated with web, iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, Windows, API and self-hosted platforms. Created apps are responsive web apps, and their installable PWA form supports Android, iPhone and Chromebook.

Who it's for

Anvil suits Python developers building web applications who value a visual UI builder, integrated data and a choice between hosted deployment and a self-run server. It is particularly attractive for individual builders starting on Free or personal projects on Hobby. Teams needing collaboration, SSO and staging should consider Business; organizations needing private deployment or isolation should look at Enterprise. Developers seeking a general-purpose desktop Python IDE rather than an app-building platform may prefer another tool.

Pros and cons

Pros: Client- and server-side Python, visual design, database and hosting are integrated, reducing the number of separate components needed for an app.

Pros: Free permits unlimited apps and library installation, with export to the open-source App Server as an alternative to Anvil hosting.

Pros: Installable, offline-capable PWAs extend responsive apps to phones and tablets.

Cons: Free’s 50,000-row, 100 MB storage and 30-second task limits may rule it out for data-heavy or long-running workloads.

Cons: Free is limited to one developer; collaboration, SSO and staging start at Business.

Cons: Paid plans use custom pricing here, so comparing their cost requires a direct quote.

Alternatives

For a conventional desktop Python IDE, Eric is a free option for Linux, macOS and Windows, with no stated price or usage limits. PyCharm is another desktop choice for those who want a free plan with one month of Pro included, or Pro at $200 a year per user. Scientific Python users can consider Spyder, a free open-source scientific IDE for Linux, macOS, web and Windows. Positron is a free desktop alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows. Windows users seeking a free Python IDE can also consider PyScripter; those looking for a free GPLv3+ IDE with Windows and Linux installers can consider NINJA-IDE. LiClipse is a paid alternative with a free trial, and Thonny is a free option for Linux, macOS and Windows.

For category browsing, see Python IDEs and Low-Code Development Platforms.

Verdict

Choose Anvil if you want to build Python web apps with interface design, data, authentication and deployment brought together, and value a free starting point or self-hosted export. Look elsewhere if your work depends on larger free-tier data capacity, longer background tasks or a conventional desktop Python IDE.

Verdict

Anvil brings Python app development, a built-in database and deployment choices into an online IDE. The free plan is usable for unlimited apps, but its Data Table and task limits are worth checking first.

Where Specifiction places it

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